The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) took part in the Information Management Assessment (IMA) programme run by The National Archives (TNA) in May 2011. The assessment covered DECC’s offices in London and Aberdeen and the findings and recommendations were presented to DECC in September 2012. The report and DECC’s action plan to address the recommendations are being published today.

The entire IMA process was extremely helpful to DECC, from identifying and providing evidence prior to the assessment, to discussing initial findings with the team immediately after the assessment, and finally the report and recommendations, including advice on how to act on them. At the time of the assessment DECC was a relatively new department, still developing a long-term vision and strategy for Knowledge and Information Management. It was extremely useful to us to have external validation of the areas which needed to be addressed, as well as identifying other issues for consideration.

We were very pleased to see that two areas of best practice were identified, and that we were assessed as good or satisfactory for the majority of areas. However we acknowledge that there is still much to be done, and I’m pleased to say that a number of recommendations have already been addressed. We will continue to work with The National Archives to make progress against the remaining recommendations, as detailed in our action plan. At a more strategic level we will focus on embedding a knowledge sharing culture and the tools and processes to support this; on ensuring that effective information management practices are in place and followed; and addressing the risks of digital continuity.

DECC recognises the value that effective knowledge and information management and exploitation provides in delivering operational efficiency, evidence based policy making, and in supporting the Transparency agenda. We are committed to continue to improve KIM in DECC and welcome the support of TNA in doing this.

Wendy Barnes Chief Operating Officer Department of Energy and Climate Change